Carrying His Values

Matthew 5:17-22,43-45

Context: Matthew 5:17-48

Memory Verse: Matthew 5:44

Main Idea: Jesus values all human life and expects His followers to do the same.

FIRST THOUGHTS

     Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, lived in ancient Greece. Many medical schools issue to their students a modern version of an oath attributed to Hippocrates. The modern Hippocratic Oath contains a sentence that reads, “I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person’s family and economic stability.” This statement reminds physicians that they treat people, not diseases. Good physicians value life. Valuing human life is also a Christian duty.

What are some ways in which you see life devalued in the present culture? What are some specific ways Christians can place a proper emphasis on the value of life?

     Jesus lifted up the value of human life. His defense of life grew out of the truth that God created humans in His image. Thus God values people above all other creation. Life, as God’s gift, should be treated with care and respect.

     The Scripture passage for this week highlights the higher standard to which Jesus calls His followers. Jesus called for a new kind of behavior that values life in the same way God does. Expect Him to expand your perspective about the value of human life through your study.

I. UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT

Matthew 5:17-48

      Jewish religious leaders, including scribes and Pharisees, expressed concern about Jesus’ interpretation of the Old Testament. He did not, as some thought, seek to destroy it. He affirmed its validity. But Jesus offered a new, radical interpretation of the law. His understanding contradicted that of the Jewish teachers. Obedience to the letter of the law equaled righteousness in their minds. Jesus, however, taught a higher form of righteousness that led to a right relationship with God (Matt. 5:17-20).

     The religious leaders stressed legalistic obedience to the letter of the law; Jesus pointed to the intent behind the law. In verses 21-48, He gave six illustrations of the law’s intent. Each example follows a similar formula. Jesus stated an Old Testament command then affirmed God’s intent in that law.

     First, Jesus tackled the prohibition against murder (vv. 21-26). God intended that believers avoid not just murder but also anger and hatred, the root causes of murder.

     Second, Jesus dealt with the law prohibiting adultery (vv. 27-30). Jewish men often abused the law to exert their perceived legal right to a wife as property. The law intended, however, to address the lustful thoughts that caused physical acts of adultery.

     Third, Jesus addressed the law related to divorce (vv. 31-32). God’s intent is for marriage to last a lifetime. Divorce laws protected the vulnerable woman when people failed to live up to God’s plan. Some men abused the divorce laws for frivolous, selfish reasons. Jesus emphasized the serious consequences of divorce.

     Fourth, Jesus spoke about oaths made in the name of God (vv. 33-37). The grave nature of such oaths prompted some to swear by other things associated with God, such as heaven, earth, or one’s own head. This left a loophole by which people could refuse to fulfill an oath because they had avoided the use of God’s name. Jesus prohibited oath-taking altogether and called for honesty and integrity.

     Fifth, Jesus dealt with laws related to retaliation and revenge (vv. 38-42). The Jews used the “eye for an eye” principle as a means to prevent the escalation of wrongdoing. Jesus countered with a demand to “turn the other cheek” and go the “second mile.”

     Sixth, Jesus explained the intent of the command to love your neighbor (vv. 43-48). Again, He called for an above-and-beyond attitude to love not only your neighbor but your enemy as well.

     God’s grace as it is bestowed on believers propels them to meet a higher standard of righteousness than that of the scribes and Pharisees. A proper understanding of God’s law leads to an obedience guided by God-honoring attitudes.

II. EXPLORE THE TEXT

A. Look to the Scriptures (Matt. 5:17-20)

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

VERSE 17

     The religious leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their authority. Apparently, they expressed concern that He came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. The Jews protected the law at all costs as the framework of religious faith. They accused Jesus of undermining the law.

     The terms Law and Prophets could be defined in several ways. Some saw the Law as the first five books of the Old Testament only. Others used Law and Prophets together to refer to the whole of the Old Testament. Still other teachers, specifically the scribes and Pharisees, expanded on the law with rigid oral interpretations of the Old Testament that carried the weight of Scripture. For them, the term Law included the Old Testament as well as over 600 additional interpretations. In this passage, Jesus probably used the Law or the Prophets to mean the sum of the Old Testament writings.

     Jesus answered the leaders’ accusation when He stated, I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. He argued for His own commitment to the validity of the law. He offered no teaching that contradicted the Old Testament. He emphasized continuity between the Old Testament and His own ministry purpose. Jesus came as the Messiah to whom the Old Testament pointed.

     The term fulfill meant “fill to the brim.” Jesus brought the law to its highest purpose. The law’s fulfillment occurred when people used it as God intended. Devout Jews obeyed only what they perceived the law required and no more. Obedience became an end in itself. Jesus, however, saw the law’s goal as revealing God and pointing humankind to redemption. Instead of slavery to the law, Jesus advocated a freedom attained through a spirit of willing obedience. He fulfilled the law as He enacted God’s purpose to rescue people from sin.

VERSE 18

     Jesus’ teaching carried God’s full authority. He said: For truly, I say to you. He spoke a reliable, definitive word that called for His hearers’ complete attention. Jesus claimed an authority no others held. The Jewish teachers never taught by their own authority; they quoted other authorities.

     Jesus stated that the law is permanent and lasts from generation to generation. Even the smallest aspects of God’s law endure until heaven and earth pass away. As God’s revelation of Himself, the law remains valid until the world ends. An iota was the smallest letter in the alphabet. A dot referred to the smallest extension or ornamental flourish attached to a letter in the alphabet.

     Jesus held the Scripture in highest regard and affirmed all of it. The Old Testament remained permanent and authoritative even after Jesus arrived. His teachings and the New Testament fulfilled God’s revelation begun in the Old Testament.

VERSE 19

     Jesus admonished His hearers not to break one of the least of these commandments. The Pharisees debated which tenets of Old Testament law were more important and which were least important. Jesus stressed that even the parts of the law that appeared to be less vital still carried the full weight of law. He argued against discounting any law.

     Jesus accentuated the negative consequences of disobedience. To devalue Scripture leads other people astray. People see the quality of our commitment. Thus, our disobedience influences or teaches others to disobey. The consequence is to be called least in the kingdom of heaven. Disobedience reveals the lack of a right relationship with God. The kingdom of heaven can mean the rule of God in a life. Lack of obedience to the law suggests a refusal to submit to God’s rule.

     Conversely, Jesus stated the positive consequences of obedience by whoever does them and teaches them. Following the law guides a person to right action before God. Obedient living also teaches God’s commands to others. Conformity to the law, then, results in being called great in the kingdom of heaven. God honors people who submit to His rule and obey Him out of willing allegiance.

VERSE 20

     Again Jesus emphasized the reliability of His teaching when He said: For I tell you (see v. 18). He sought disciples whose righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees. In Jesus’ eyes, righteousness indicated fulfillment of the ethical demands of the whole law (the Old Testament and His teachings). Obedience to that law earns no one entry into a right relationship with God. God graciously initiates that relationship as His gift. Obedience, however, confirms right standing with God.

     A requirement to surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees would have shocked Jesus’ hearers. Few questioned the righteousness of these religious leaders because of their meticulous efforts to obey the law. But Jesus called His followers to exceed the obedience level of the scribes and Pharisees. How? The Pharisees were satisfied if they obeyed the commandments outwardly. They did not humble themselves before God, asking Him to change their hearts or attitudes. True followers of Christ know that they cannot make themselves righteous enough to enter the kingdom of heaven. Instead, they depend on God to work His righteousness within them. Consequently, their righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees because it is based on a relationship with God.

     Those who fail to surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The scribes and Pharisees believed the highest place in the kingdom awaited them. How wrong they were. Their human effort failed to impress God. Salvation by law-keeping never works. A right heart trumps right traditions.

What examples do you see of people who obey out of legalism? What examples do you see of people who obey out of loving gratitude?

B. Value human life (Matt. 5:21-22)

²¹ You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

VERSE 21

     Jesus stated the first of six examples of a higher righteousness that fulfills the law. Each illustration begins with a statement such as You have heard that it was said to those of old. The sixth commandment, ‘You shall not murder,’ came to mean “do not take a life wrongfully.” The Jews considered murder a grave sin. They excluded from the law of murder what they considered justifiable. Killing in self-defense, just war, capital punishment, and accident fit that category. The scribes added a statement to the original law about the murderer being liable to judgment or penalty. Death was that penalty.

VERSE 22

     Jesus exerted His authority to say the right way to understand the command. He set the strict Jewish interpretation of the law against His own, more complete explanation. Few of the religious leaders would ever physically take another person’s life. Jesus, however, clarified the law to include everyone who is angry with his brother. He went beyond the act of murder to the root cause of it.

     Anger shows itself in hatred, revenge, pride, or bitterness. Anger and murder originate from disregard for the value of a life. God created every human in His image. When we disrespect another person in any way, we break God’s law. Abortion, for example, devalues life.

     As the root cause of murder, anger also makes someone liable to judgment. The guilty must answer for their wrongdoing. Jesus gave some examples. He said that whoever insults his brother is guilty. The attitude of contempt that shows itself in name-calling and insults reveals a guilty heart. Words can be deadly weapons. A public insult could result in a trial before the council (Sanhedrin). This Jewish legal body exercised authority to punish such wrongful deeds.

     Jesus further stated that whoever says, ‘You fool!’ has to answer for it. The word fool meant “scoundrel, idiot, outcast.” This insult judged a person’s moral character and standing with God. This offender will be liable to the hell of fire. Hell of fire is literally the gehenna of fire. The reference is to the Valley of Hinnom, located southwest of Jerusalem. In Jesus’ day it served as a town garbage dump. A smoldering fire burned there continually. The term came to be used figuratively as a name for the place of everlasting punishment, or hell. Anyone who judges another person to be worthless garbage will receive the judgment of God.

     The sinful actions Jesus identified in these verses begin in the heart when another person is devalued. The sin is in the devaluing of people. The Lord’s intention in these verses was to heighten our regard for human life.

Have you witnessed lives damaged by anger? What were the results? What can you do to deal with the human tendency toward wrongly motivated attitudes related to others?

C. Love beyond expectations (Matt. 5:43-45)

⁴³ You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

VERSE 43

     Jesus saved the most demanding of all commands for the sixth and final illustration of higher righteousness. He called for a greater love. The law insisted that a person love your neighbor and hate your enemy. The traditional Jewish definition of neighbor helps explain Jesus’ concern. The Jews considered their neighbors to be other Jews. A Samaritan or other foreigner did not fit their definition of neighbor. Once they defined the object of their love, the Jews knew who to hate. Jesus, of course, defined neighbor differently. In His story about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus saw a neighbor as anyone who needs help. He placed no limits on love.

     Leviticus 19:18 offered the love your neighbor part of the command. The scribes added something not found in the Old Testament at all. They also said, hate your enemy. This was a concession to human nature, because we do tend to hate our enemies. Additions such as this to the law made it less burdensome. But they missed the spirit of the law. Jesus excluded hatred of anyone.

VERSE 44


     Jesus brought a higher expectation. He said: Love your enemies. Loving a neighbor is easy. Loving your enemy, however, can be a challenge. Jesus modeled this kind of love on the cross. He prayed for the forgiveness of His accusers and tormentors. The only way to love an enemy is the way Jesus loved. He gave Himself completely for the good of others. With His life, Jesus redefined love. You may not like your enemy or their actions. But love works to another’s advantage to help change them for the better.

     Jesus explained that love of neighbor plays out when you pray for those who persecute you. The Jews of the first century understood persecution, humiliation, and injury. The Roman occupiers ruled with an iron fist to maintain order. Going to God on behalf of those who would damage you can be done only out of love. Prayer may not result in a change in your oppressor, but it very well could result in a change in your heart.

VERSE 45

     God loves all people. That’s His nature. Jesus served as God’s ultimate expression of love for everyone. Children under the influence of a parent take on the characteristics of that parent. Similarly, children of God reflect His loving character. Love for enemies identifies you as sons of your Father who is in heaven because you follow His example.

     Jesus brought to life the truth of God’s love with a couple of examples. God makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good. The sun shines because God ordains it. The sun makes no distinction. It shines on evil people and good ones alike. The gift of light goes indiscriminately to all people just as the gift of love does. Likewise, God sends rain on the just and on the unjust. When rain falls it gets both the godly and ungodly wet. God loves all the same. Jesus reasoned that if God shows no favorites in disseminating love, neither should Christians.

Who might you name as an enemy? Why? How might you word a prayer that expresses your concerns about that person and your attitude toward them to God?

KEY DOCTRINE

The Christian and the Social Order

     Christians should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.

BIBLE SKILL

Use other Scripture to help understand a Bible passage.

     Jesus said that He fulfilled “the Law or the Prophets” (Matt. 5:17). Read Matthew 1:22-23; 2:15; and 4:14-16. How do these passages affirm Jesus as fulfiller of the Old Testament?